Commissioners Pass Budget Despite Significant Deficit Concerns
The Cumberland County Commission approved a new budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year Monday night that avoids a property tax increase. The budget maintains the current property tax rate of $1.1350 for every $100 of assessed value. Mayor Allen Foster said the spending plan relies on more than $11 million from fund balance, to cover […]
Enrollment Gains Drive Jackson Schools Funding Increase
Jackson County Schools receiving its first increase in state funding since the implementation of a new funding formula due to rising student enrollment and strategic financial management. Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the school system expects an increase of approximately $600,000 to $700,000 in state funds compared to the previous year. Hardy said the […]
Van Buren Commissioners Approve $21M Annual Budget
Van Buren County Commissioners approved a $21.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year during a special called meeting Monday. The general purpose school fund accounts for the largest portion of the budget at $10,152,700. General fund expenses set at $4,860,741. The commission also approved a resolution to fix the county tax levy at 1.3883 […]
New Budget Means New Funding Mechanism For Schools
The Putnam County Commission’s decision to use a percentage of sales tax revenue to fund schools a welcome revenue boost, according to School Board Member Kerry Ledbetter. The new county budget passed last week includes the change to a formula of 50 percent of sales tax revenue. Ledbetter said the change back will not only […]
Jackson School Board Passes Resolution Against Vouchers
The Jackson County Board of Education approved a resolution during its Monday meeting opposing Governor Bill Lee’s proposed Education Freedom Scholarship Act. The so-called Vouchers Bill would provide public tax money for up to 20,000 children statewide to pursue private schooling. Chairman Mark Brown said the act would have a negative effect on everyone in […]
Putnam Resident Brought Parental View To State School Funding Committee
One Putnam County resident has been giving a parent’s perspective as the state finalizes a new funding formula for public schools. Baxter Primary PTO Vice-President Wendy Jarvis has served on the Parents Choice and Voice Subcommittee since October. Jarvis said she worked with a wide variety of political leaders, school officials and other parents. “I’m […]
Putnam Wants To Provide One-Time Stipend
Putnam County School officials hope to provide a one-time stipend to all school employees as part of new COVID money. The system will receive some $9.2 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds from the federal government. Director of Schools Corby King said the system wants to pay teachers and staff for the […]
Potential For Federal Stimulus Postpones School Funding Decision
The Tennessee General Assembly did not decide on BEP funding during its special session last week, because it wants to wait State Senator Paul Bailey said there’s some thought the Biden Administration might address school funding in this pandemic year. “Washington has signaled that they may send down some additional funding for school districts,” Bailey […]
